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Educating people where they live and work about horticultural best practices
Master Gardeners are University of Minnesota-trained volunteers whose job is to educate the public about a variety of horticulture subjects using readily-available, up-to-date research-based information. This educational effort is designed to enhance the public's quality of life and to promote good stewardship of the environment.
There are more than 100 Master Gardeners who live in Washington County and volunteer several thousand hours each year to educate others. Activities range from teaching Community Education classes, diagnosing plant problems, and answering questions at "Ask a Master Gardener events, on the phone, or by the Internet to helping communities with their environmental issues such as water quality, invasive species, and noxious weeds.
Insects & Diseases
Pests
Lawn Care
Vegetable Gardening
Tree & Shrub Care
Improving Water Quality
Invasive Species and Noxious Weeds
Annual Tasks
If you've got questions, we've got answers! Here are several ways you can easily access research-based yard and garden information.
Yard Care & Garden Information in Washington County - Printable Version
Websites
Many University of Minnesota Extension publications are available on the website at www.extension.umn.edu/gardeninfo. Be sure to look for the latest information in Yard & Garden News.
The Master Gardener Program in Washington County website is http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/washington. While you are here check the calendar of local events, articles, links to other sites, and information about the Master Gardener Program.
You can submit a question and view previous questions and answers online at www.extension.org/horticulture.
University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Yard & Garden desk
Call 952-443-1426 to discuss routine yard care and garden questions with a Master Gardener volunteer. Call anytime and if a Master Gardener is not available just leave a detailed message explaining the problem. A Master Gardener will research the question and call back with an answer.
Continue reading "Have a Gardening Question?" »
A love of gardening, a search for knowledge and a desire to share that knowledge with others is central to why people join the University of Minnesota Master Gardener program. They remain Master Gardeners to enjoy the friendship of others who share their interests, to gain and share research-based horticultural knowledge and to give back to the community through their volunteer commitment.
If combining your passion for people and plants sounds appealing, you may be a good Master Gardener candidate. A formal education in horticulture isn't necessary--we will provide the training and resources to help you teach others. There are five steps to becoming a Master Gardener - each step is described in more detail below.
Application
To become a University of Minnesota Master Gardener in Washington County, you must first apply and be accepted into the program. The application process starts early - we begin sending out applications in September. You can request an application form by e-mailing your contact information to wcmg@umn.edu
Send your completed application to the following address:
University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Program
Andover Regional Center, Suite L-1
550 Bunker Lake Blvd NW
Andover, MN 55304
Email: wcmg@umn.edu
Selected applicants will be interviewed and asked to complete a short test on horticulture. Don't panic -- study materials are provided in advance and no prior horticultural knowledge is required. Following the interview and test, selected candidates are accepted into the program and eligible for the next steps - commitment and training.
Commitment
You agree to volunteer service in exchange for training from the University of Minnesota. You also agree to participate in Master Gardener meetings in your County, where you receive continuing education and learn about new projects and other volunteer opportunities.
Training
Training is held once each year in the metropolitan area in January and February. Master Gardeners attend a 48-hour class at the University of Minnesota known as the "Core Course" or Horticulture 1003 if taken for U of M credit. The course is taught by Extension faculty, and a textbook and mini-reference library are provided to each participant. For more information about the Core Course training, including times, locations, fees, and specific course content, visit the Minnesota Master Gardener page.
Internship
Following completion of Core Course Training, Master Gardener interns are required to do 50 hours of volunteer work and 8 hours of continuing education during their internship year (which ends December 31). We make an effort to ensure that our new interns are placed with other, more seasoned volunteers and we assign a mentor to each new intern. So whether you volunteer at an "Ask a Master Gardener" event, the Diagnostic Clinic or another event, you'll be with knowledgeable, helpful people who will make sure you're not on your own. You'll have fun--and you will learn a lot!
Certification
You'll receive a certificate and name badge designating you as a Master Gardener once you have completed the Core Course and fulfilled your internship requirements.
Remaining Certified
Once certified, Master Gardeners must volunteer a minimum of 25 hours and receive at least 12 hours of approved continuing education each year in order to maintain their certification.
Advanced Training
After you are certified, you are eligible to attend other training programs and workshops. These courses offer more technical information. Advanced training opportunities include:
Japanese beetles have plagued Eastern U. S. gardens for decades. Meanwhile, dimly aware of the insect's destructive potential, Minnesota gardeners battled lesser pests. Sadly, the age of innocence is ending here, especially in the Twin Cities area.
The beetles have been present in Minnesota for several years but populations have been local and numbers relatively low. This year many Twin Cities area gardeners encountered them for the first time and numbers exploded in some places. More of the same is likely to come.
The bronze and green beetles are known to feed on 300-400 kinds of plants. Rose, linden and grape are among their favored hosts. The beetles are gregarious, often gathering in clusters on chosen plants with remarkably destructive effects. Beetle activity peaks mid-July through mid-August.